Our Services
Watson Forestry is committed to delivering the highest quality forestry work in Peterborough & the Kawarthas. Below is a list of our typical services provided, and we are available for contact to discuss any of your forestry needs.
- Forest Management Plans
- Development of Harvest Prescriptions
- Certified Tree Marking
- Professional Forestry Consulting
- Plantation Management
- Property Maps & Inventory
- Timber Estimation / Valuation
- Tree planting
- Trail development
- Tree removal (non-hazardous)
Sustainable Forest Management Can Get Complicated
See Below For More Details On Some Of The Services Offered
Tree Marking
If your harvest is desired or recommended on your woodlot, tree marking is a tool to ensure that the harvest is sustainable, the woodlot goals are achieved, and the forest values are protected. Tree marking involves carefully selecting the trees to be harvested and retained. Often low quality, or trees of declining health are selected to be removed, while the remaining trees are left standing to regenerate the forest, and to improve over time. Tree marking is well described in the publication accessed by clicking here.
Forest Management Planning
Landowners who undergo a forest management planning process are eligible for a significant property tax reduction (75% on the forested portions of the property). We will work with landowners on the creation of a plan that works for them, helping to determine their management goals and activities that will help to achieve them. Management plans are for 10 years. They provide direction on how to sustainably care for your property, and outline activities to be done that will improve the forest health.
Cost varies by property size and property use. Contact for a quote. Landowners generally recoup their cost in the first year, while the tax reduction is for 10 years, leading to significant savings in the thousands.
Harvesting & Forestry Services
If a commercial harvest is desired or recommended, I can assist in marketing your woodlot, finding a reputable logger, and reviewing contracts to ensure a fair deal for both parties. We can also oversee the implementation of the harvest to ensure that your goals are met, the forest values are protected, and the terms of the contract are upheld.
As a professional forester, I can develop a harvest prescription to satisfy by-law requirements, and to ensure the harvest is done in a way that maintains, or improves the forest health over time, while also providing the landowners with a source of revenue.
Resources on carrying out a commercial harvist can be accessed here.
Inventory and Mapping
Own a property and not sure what types of trees you have, if they are healthy or have value? I can help you identify your forest, map out “compartments” and determine what values you have. I can also help give you an idea about what the timber value is on your property, and how to best manage it.
Examples of Management Activities
Group Openings
This is an example of a management activity that can be done to improve forest health. White Pine seedlings have been established in this sugar maple dominated forest, but are being suppressed. Creating a small group opening, through cutting the trees marked in orange, can encourage the growth of these young trees which otherwise will not survive. The result is a more diverse forest, benefitting the area wildlife and adding resiliency in the face of climate change.
Selection Harvest
An example of tree marking prior to a “selection” harvest. In this example, a mature sugar maple is removed in order to “release” advanced yellow birch regeneration. The harvested log will provide a valuable source of revenue to the landowner, while more growing space is created for the residual forest, allowing the stand to improve over time. When done correctly, forests like this can be harvested sustainably every 20 years!
Shelterwood Harvest
An example of a sustainably harvested pine forest which underwent a “seed-cut,” under the shelterwood silviculture system. A seed cut, or regeneration cut is when forest is harvested to the desired light conditions for the species we are trying to regenerate. Under this type of harvest, the best seed sources are retained, and the remainder of the trees are removed. Once the future forest is established, either through planting or naturally, the remaining trees can be removed in subsequent harvests over time.
Get In Touch
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your forestry needs, we encourage you to reach out. Simply enter your name, email address and message below, and we’ll be sure to get back to you as soon as possible.
Contact Us
Send Us A Message
Phone
(705) 313-3188
Mark.Watson@watsonforestry.com
Location
Based out of Peterborough and the Kawartha’s
Offering services throughout cottage country